Fastening systems comprising nonwoven substrates with hooks formed integrally thereon

ABSTRACT

A wearable article includes hook-and-loop fastening components. The hook-and-loop fastening components have a section of nonwoven web material on which an array of hooks is formed. At least some of the hooks may be integrally formed from the nonwoven material. The section of nonwoven web material may also include a section of loops material, wherein at least some of the loops may be integrally formed from the web material. The section of loops material may have a machine direction dimension of at least 20 mm and a cross direction dimension of at least 20 mm, and a surface area of at least 314 mm2. The article may further include an identifiable linear path, the identifiable linear path having a width greater than 2 mm and forming an angle with the machine direction of 45 degrees or less. Any such identifiable path at least partially overlies the loops-forming bond(s), at a plurality of locations along the identifiable linear path.

BACKGROUND

Hook-and-loop fastening systems have been used in a variety ofapplications for a number of years. Such applications have includedfastening systems for wearable garments and articles, including but notlimited to disposable diapers. One currently popular configuration ofdisposable diaper/fastening system includes an absorbent chassis havinga front waist region, crotch region and rear waist region, with a pairof fastening members each extending respectively laterally from left andright longitudinal edges of the chassis in the rear waist region. In atypical configuration, each fastening member includes a patch ofmaterial bearing hooks, affixed to the wearer-facing side of thefastening member. A patch or section of cooperating loops material istypically disposed on the outward-facing side of the front waist region.In this configuration, the chassis may be wrapped through the wearer'scrotch area with the back waist region placed across the wearer's lowerback and buttocks and the front waist region placed across the wearer'slower belly area. The left and right fastening members may then bewrapped about the wearer's left and right hips, respectively, andfastened to the front waist region via engagement of the hooks patcheswith the loops material on the front waist region, thereby securing thediaper on the wearer.

Hooks of various designs for use with various types of loops materialhave been developed over the years, as have techniques for efficientlymanufacturing hooks. Manufacturers of hooks have included the VelcroCompanies (United Kingdom), 3M Company (Minnesota, USA) and Aplix(France). One technique has included heating thermoplastic resin in anextruder, extruding a base sheet and then molding and/or otherwiseforming hooks into one face of the base sheet from the material thereof,while it is still soft or partially molten. Another technique hasincluded extruding a continuous structure having a base sheet portionand a series of extruded formations extending from the base sheetportion having desired hook profiles. Following extrusion, a series ofcuts through the formations are made along a direction transverse to theextrusion direction to create rows of hooks structures, without cuttingthrough the base portion. The base sheet with rows of hooks structuresis then plastically stretched along the extrusion direction, to createor enlarge separation between the rows of hooks structures. In manyapplications, a layer of suitable adhesive may be applied to theunderside of the base material. The combination of hooks/base sheetmaterial and adhesive may then be cut to any commercially desired sizeor shape, such as strips, and may be gathered, e.g., on a roll, fordelivery to the purchaser/user. The purchaser/user may further cut theproduct to a desired size (e.g. a hooks patch) to be affixed to anarticle and thereby provide the hooks component of a hook-and-loopfastening system for the article.

More recently, techniques have been developed that enable formation ofpatterns of hooks directly on a preexisting substrate, such as a film ornonwoven. Such techniques may provide a benefit in elimination ofprocessing and handling steps involving hooks materials and manufactureof articles with hook-and-loop fastening systems, including disposablediapers. However, it is believed that these techniques and the benefitsthey may provide in a variety of particular applications have not beenfully developed or appreciated.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A wearable article may include a section of nonwoven web material havinga machine direction of formation (MD). The section of nonwoven materialcomprises filaments of polymeric material and an array of hooks. Atleast some of the hooks may be integrally molded in part of thepolymeric material of the filaments. The section of nonwoven materialmay also comprise a loops material having a plurality of loops, and atleast some are integrally formed from the nonwoven material.

In some embodiments, the wearable article may be in the form of adiaper, having a chassis comprising a liquid permeable topsheet, aliquid impermeable backsheet and an absorbent core structure disposedbetween the topsheet and the backsheet. The diaper may include afastening member joined to the chassis in the rear waist region andextending laterally away from the longitudinal axis, including a firstfastening component disposed thereon; and a second fastening componentlocated on the front waist region. One of both of the first and secondfastening components comprises a section of nonwoven web material onwhich an array of hooks is formed, wherein the section of web materialcomprises filaments of polymeric material. The section of nonwoven webmaterial has a machine direction of formation, and the filaments ofpolymeric material having a machine direction bias and are consolidatedand bonded in a pattern of thermal bonds. The section of nonwoven webmaterial may also comprise a section of loops material having a machinedirection dimension of at least 20 mm, a cross direction dimension of atleast 20 mm, and a surface area of at least 314 mm², and being bonded ina continuous loops-forming bond, or pattern of discrete loops-formingbonds. Any identifiable linear path along the section of loops materialthat has a width greater than 2 mm and forms an angle of 45 degrees orless with the machine direction (MD) at least partially overlies theloops-forming bond or bonds in the pattern, at a plurality of locationsalong the identifiable path. At least some of the hooks may be thermallyformed at least in part of the polymeric material of the filaments suchthat at least part of the array is integral with the nonwoven webmaterial.

The disclosure further includes a method for producing a fasteningcomponent material having both hook elements and loop elements,comprising the steps of:

spinning a plurality of filaments from one or more polymeric resins, anddepositing the spun filaments onto a belt moving along a machinedirection to form a batt of the filaments;

conveying the batt via the moving belt to a nip between one or morepairs of rollers and/or a nip between a roller and an ultrasonicallyvibrating surface,

wherein at least one roller among one or more pairs of rollers and/orroller and ultrasonically vibrating surface comprises bondingprotrusions arranged in a pattern along a surface thereof;

wherein at least one roller among one or more pairs of rollers and/orroller and ultrasonically vibrating surface comprises hooks-formingcavities arranged along a surface thereof;

consolidating the batt and bonding the filaments together in a patternof thermal bonds via the bonding protrusions, forming a bonded nonwovenweb; and

forming an arrangement of hooks from polymeric material of the filamentsvia the hooks-forming cavities, wherein the arrangement of hooks areintegral with the bonded nonwoven web.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a disposable diaper as itmight appear in a relaxed condition prior to application to aninfant-wearer.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the diaper of FIG. 1, shown extended againstcontraction induced by elastomeric components, to substantially the fulldimensions of its non-elastic components, shown with wearer-facingsurfaces facing the viewer.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the diaper of FIG. 1, shown extended againstcontraction induced by elastomeric components, to substantially the fulldimensions of its non-elastic components, shown with outward-facingsurfaces facing the viewer.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a section of web material to which a strip ofhooks material has been applied.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an example of a fastening member cut from theweb material shown in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6A-6C are schematic side-view depictions of configurations ofequipment and a schematic representation of examples of processes formanufacturing a bonded nonwoven web material with integrally moldedarrays of hooks.

FIGS. 7A-7E are schematic cross-section views taken along a crossdirection through exemplary web materials on which areas of hooks havebeen integrally molded.

FIG. 8A is a plan view of a section of web material upon which a stripof hooks has been integrally molded.

FIG. 8B is a plan view of an example of a fastening member cut from theweb material shown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is a plan view of another example of a section of web materialupon which a strip of hooks has been integrally molded, having areasthat have been subsequently deactivated or flattened.

FIG. 8D is a plan view of an example of a fastening member cut from theweb material shown in FIG. 8C.

FIG. 8E is a plan view of another example of a section of web materialupon which discrete areas of hooks have been integrally molded.

FIG. 8F is a plan view of an example of a fastening member cut from theweb material shown in FIG. 8E.

FIG. 8G is a plan view of a section of web material upon which discreteareas of hooks have been integrally molded, wherein the web materialincludes an elasticized zone.

FIG. 8H is a schematic cross section of the section of web materialshown in FIG. 7G, taken through line 8H-8H in FIG. 8G, and shown withlayers separated.

FIGS. 9A-9E are depictions of various examples of arrangements of areasof hooks.

FIGS. 10A-10I and 11A-11C are depictions of various examples of bondingpatterns on sections of nonwoven loops material.

FIGS. 12A-12E are depictions of various examples of sections of webmaterial upon which examples of hooks arrangements might be formed foruse on a diaper.

FIG. 12F is a plan view of a diaper, shown extended against contractioninduced by elastomeric components, to substantially the full dimensionsof its non-elastic components, shown with outward-facing surfaces facingthe viewer.

FIGS. 13A-13C are schematic views of combinations of examples of frontand rear waist regions of diapers with various combinations of fasteningcomponent configurations.

FIGS. 14A-14C, 15A-15C, and 16A-16C depict front, side and top views ofexamples of profiles of hooks protruding from a substrate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Definitions

“Elastic” or “elastomeric” refers to the property of a material such asa stretch laminate material that elongates, without substantial ruptureor breakage, by at least 50% at a load of between 0.1 and 10 N/cm in theHysteresis Test. Rupture or breakage having a dimension less than 5 mmin any direction is not considered substantial rupture or breakage.However, ruptures through the structure having a dimension greater than5 mm in any direction, breaks, ruptures or tears into two or morepieces, or breaks, ruptures or tears resulting in significant structuraldegradation which render the material unusable for its intended purpose,are considered substantial ruptures or breakage. Further, upon releaseof the load, the elastic material has a set less than or equal to 20% asmeasured by the Hysteresis Test. For example, an elastic material thathas an initial length of 25 millimeters can elongate to at least 37.5millimeters (50% elongation) and, upon removal of the force, retract toa length of 27.5 millimeters, i.e., have a set of 2.5 millimeters (10%set), when subjected to the Hysteresis Test.

With respect to hooks, as used herein, the term “integrally molded” andvariants thereof refers to hooks that are molded directly onto asubstrate, partially or entirely from thermoplastic material of whichthe substrate is formed, via equipment having mold cavities, andequipment providing heating energy. Accordingly, integrally molded hooksand the substrate on which they are formed will have one or morethermoplastic component materials in common.

“Lateral,” with respect to a diaper or components thereof, refers to thedirection that is parallel to the waist edges of the diaper when it isopen and laid out flat along a horizontal plane.

“Like chemistry,” with respect to two polymeric compositions, means thatthe two compositions are capable of mixing together at a temperature of250 deg. C. or lower, to form a single thermodynamic phase.

“Longitudinal,” with respect to a diaper or components thereof, refersto the direction that is perpendicular to the waist edges of the diaperwhen it is open and laid out flat along a horizontal plane.

“Machine direction,” with respect to manufacture of nonwoven webmaterial, means the direction along which the web material is formed andmoves through a nip between calender/bonding rolls.

“Machine direction bias,” with respect to filaments forming a spunbondnonwoven web material, means that a majority of the filaments, assituated in the web material and unstretched, have lengths with machinedirection vector components that are greater than their cross directionvector components.

“Cross direction,” with respect to manufacture of nonwoven web material,means the direction perpendicular to the machine direction, along an x-yplane occupied by the web material. “Outward-facing,” with respect tosurfaces of components of a diaper, means the surfaces that face awayfrom the wearer's body when the diaper is worn.

“Wearer-facing,” with respect to surfaces of components of a diaper,means the surfaces that face the wearer's body when the diaper is worn.

“z-direction,” with respect to a web material, is the directionorthogonal to an x-y plane occupied by the web material when laid outflat.

Wearable Articles

FIG. 1 depicts an example of a wearable article 10 in the form of adisposable, open-form diaper 100, as it might appear in a relaxedcondition at rest on a table, prior to donning on an infant. FIGS. 2 and3 depict plan views of the wearer-facing surfaces 11 and outward-facingsurfaces 12, respectively, of the diaper of FIG. 1, laid out flat andextended to the full dimensions of its non-elastic components. A typicaldisposable diaper includes a chassis 100 a with a front waist region101, rear waist region 102 and crotch region 103, longitudinal axis 104equally dividing the width of the chassis, and lateral axis 105 equallydividing the length of the chassis, longitudinal edges 106, front waistedge 107 and rear waist edge 108. The front waist region lies entirelyto the front of the lateral axis 105; the rear waist region liesentirely to the rear of the lateral axis 105, and the crotch regionlongitudinally straddles the lateral axis 105.

Chassis 100 a may be formed of a liquid-permeable topsheet 111 whichforms a large portion of the wearer-facing surfaces; aliquid-impermeable backsheet 112 which forms a large portion of theoutward-facing surfaces, and an absorbent core structure (not shown)disposed between the topsheet and a backsheet, within an envelopingstructure formed by the assembly of topsheet and backsheet. The article10 may also include a pair of elasticized outer leg cuffs 106, and apair of elasticized inner barrier cuffs 115, which together serve dualpurposes of providing for containment of wearer exudates and providing aneat, fitted appearance about the wearer's legs. These cuff structuresmay be formed separately or as an integral structure and assembled tooverlay the wearer-facing side of the chassis 100 a. The article mayalso include an elasticized waistband in the front waist region and/oran elasticized waistband in the rear waist region.

Diaper 100 also may include one or more fastening members 120, such as apair of left and right fastening members 120 each affixed to andrespectively extending laterally away from the longitudinal axis and therespective left and right longitudinal edges 106 of the chassis. Diaper100 also may include a landing zone 130 on the front waist region.Fastening members 120 and landing zone 130 may include respectivecooperating fastening components that enable fastening of fasteningmembers 120 at locations proximate their laterally distal ends, to thelanding zone 130. Thus, diaper 100 may be donned on an infant wearerwith the rear waist region 102 covering the wearer's buttocks, thecrotch region 103 wrapping under the wearer's lower torso between thelegs, and the front waist region covering the wearer's lower fronttorso; and the fastening member 120 may be wrapped about a hip and thenfastened at the landing zone 130, thereby fastening the diaper about andon the wearer. In some examples, fastening members 120 may be formed of,or include sections of, a stretch laminate material that imparts elasticstretchability and contractibility to the fastening members 120 alongthe lateral direction, enhancing the fit and comfort of the diaper forthe wearer.

Non-limiting examples of suitable diaper and fastening memberconfigurations are described and depicted in, for example, US2018/0200125, and references cited therein.

Hooks Configurations; Hooks Formation In many current examples ofdisposable diapers, fastening members 120 include patches of hooksadhered to wearer-facing surfaces of the fastening members 120,proximate their laterally distal ends. Correspondingly, in such examplesthe landing zone 130 will include a material adapted to fastenablycooperate with the hooks, such as section or patch of material adaptedto serve as cooperative loops material, to provide a hook-and-loopfastening system combination. In some embodiments, the landing zonecomprises a discrete material (e.g., a discrete path of loops material)that may be attached to the backsheet or other portion of the diaper. Insome embodiments, the landing zone 130 may be integral with one or moreportions of the diaper (e.g., loops material formed from or otherwiseintegral with said portions), such as one or more portions of thebacksheet 112.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, frequently, fastening members 120 with hookspatches 121 have been manufactured by providing a continuous web offastening member substrate material 122, conveying it along a machinedirection MD, unrolling hooks material strip from a rolled supplythereof and continuously adhering or bonding the strip 123 to thesubstrate material 122, and then cutting the substrate material with theadhered hooks strip along fastening member cut paths 124 that trace theprofile desired for the fastening members 120, generally alongdirections transverse to the direction the hooks strip 123 was unrolled.As suggested in FIG. 4, for manufacturing efficiency and minimization ofcut-off waste, the fastening member profiles and associated cut paths124 may be nested along the substrate material. In the resulting cut-outfastening member 120 as reflected in FIG. 5, the hooks patch 121 iscoextensive with the fastening member along the direction in which thehooks material strip was unrolled. It will be appreciated that thisprocess involves the necessity of procuring a supply of hooks stripmaterial 123, and providing equipment and process steps to unroll andadhere or bond the hooks material strip to the fastening membersubstrate 122. It will be appreciated further that this process createsconstraints with respect to the size, shape and placement of the hookspatch relative the fastening member, including, among other constraints,that the resulting hooks patch 121 will be coextensive in machinedirection length and shape with the cut lines 124.

More recently, integrally molding hooks directly on a substrate materialhas been proposed, wherein the substrate material serves not only as astructural component material for other purposes, but also as the sourceof polymer material for formation of the hooks; see, e.g., U.S. Pat.Nos. 8,784,722; 6,478,784 and 6,746,434. Products of these processes orsimilar processes are currently marketed by Soni-Form, LLC and/orCreative Machine Designs, Inc., both of Derry, N.H. These methodsinvolve conveying a suitable substrate along a machine direction to amolding roll having hook-forming cavities formed in and along acircumferential molding surface thereof, combined with an opposingroller or other body providing an opposing surface, and a source ofheating energy (for example, ultrasonic vibratory energy), to heat andsoften a portion of the polymeric material of the substrate and press itinto the hook-forming cavities. As the substrate leaves the moldingroll/opposing surface combination, it has an array of hooks formeddirectly thereon, integral with the material of the substrate. It may beappreciated that when used with a suitable substrate, this process mightbe used to eliminate the need for process steps and materials associatedwith obtaining and supplying a strip of hooks material and applying andadhering or bonding it to the substrate, in order to provide a substratebearing hooks.

In a further application, the processes of forming nonwoven web materialand forming hooks thereon might be combined in a single continuousprocess. Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a bonded spunbond web may beformed by urging under pressure suitably selected polymeric material ormaterials in heated (molten) state through a beam of spinnerets 200 tospin filaments 201 and direct them to a conveyor surface 202 movingalong a machine direction MD. As the spun filaments 201 strike theconveyor surface 202, they accumulate to form a batt 203 or depositionof unconsolidated filaments on the surface. Those of ordinary skill inthe art of nonwoven web manufacturing appreciate that the basis weightof the batt 203 and of the finished web may be adjusted and controlledby controlling process variables such as, but limited to, the size ofthe beam of spinnerets 200 and numerical/spatial density of individualspinnerets therein; the rate at which polymer material is urged throughthe beam; and the speed at which the conveyor is operated. The filamentsgenerally strike and come to rest within the batt on the conveyorsurface in partially random but partially machine-direction biaseddirectional orientations, as a result of machine direction movement ofthe conveyor surface as it receives the spun filaments.

The batt 203 may then be conveyed into the nip between a pair ofcalender/bonding rollers including a bonding roller 204 having bondingprotrusions 205 arranged in a pattern and extending radially outwardlyfrom the circumferential surface of the bonding roller, and an opposinganvil roller 206. A source of heating energy may be supplied proximatethe nip. In some examples, one or both of the bonding roller 204 andanvil roller 206 may be heated. As the batt 203 moves into the nip, itis compressed along a z-direction and pressure on the batt isconcentrated in the areas where the bonding protrusions approach theopposing surface of the anvil roller, resulting in at least partialmelting and fusing of filaments beneath the bonding protrusions, andthen resulting in a consolidated, bonded nonwoven web 207 with animpressed pattern of bonds that approximately correspond in size, shapeand arrangement with the pattern of bonding protrusions on the bondingroller 204.

In some examples, the bonded nonwoven web 207 may be laminated withanother similarly-formed nonwoven web, or a polymeric film, or both, toform a laminate web that includes two or more layers including thebonded nonwoven web 207.

Directly or indirectly downstream of the calender/bonding rollers, orlaminating rollers, but disposed so as to perform steps in a continuouspart of the same web processing operation, a hooks-forming roller 208may be disposed. Hooks-forming roller 208 may have formed into itscircumferential surface a pattern of hooks-forming cavities 209,configured to mold one or more continuous or discontinuous areas ofhooks of desired shape, size, directional orientation, pattern, densityand area shape and size. A source of heating energy such as, forexample, ultrasonic vibratory energy (provided via, e.g., an ultrasonichorn or sonotrode 210 a or a rotary ultrasonic horn 210 b) may bedisposed in opposition to the hooks-forming roller 208 to form a secondnip. As the bonded nonwoven web 207 passes through the second nip,heating of the polymeric material of the filaments, by application ofthe heating energy, softens it so that it may be deformed and forced, inthe second nip, into the hooks-forming cavities 209 of the hooks-formingroller. The hooks-forming roller 208 may be cooled or otherwisetemperature-controlled to help assure that the finished web 211 willemerge from the second nip with formations of hooks that are stablyformed and solidified. The resulting hooks and areas thereof on theemerged finished web 211 will be molded from and thereby physicallyintegral with material(s) of which the nonwoven web material and/orlaminate web is formed. Similar to the manner in which the pattern ofbonds in the material correspond with the pattern of bonding protrusionson the bonding roller 204, the pattern of and shape of hooks that resulton the finished web 211 will approximately correspond with thearrangement and features of the hooks-forming cavities 209 in thehooks-forming roller 208.

In another example, bonding protrusions and hooks-forming cavities mightboth be formed on a single combination bonding/hooks-forming roller. Oneor more of an anvil roller, heated anvil roller and a rotary ultrasonichorn may be disposed in opposition to the bonding/hooks-forming rollerto form a nip therewith. A bonded nonwoven web bearing one or more areasof integrally molded hooks may be formed in single step by passing thebatt of spun filaments through this nip.

Referring to FIGS. 6C and 7B-7E, in some examples, it may be desired toprovide supplemental thermoplastic polymer material 113 s for moldinghooks and forming a base structure therefor, over the web material 211,as suggested in FIGS. 7B and 7C, beneath the web material as suggestedin FIG. 7D, or in some examples, by folding the web material 211 over onitself, as suggested in FIG. 7E (illustrating a non-limiting example ofa Z-fold 113 f of web material 211 with fold lines along the machinedirection). In some examples, a supplemental thermoplastic polymericmaterial may be introduced upstream of the nip between the hooks-formingroller to provide the supplemental material 113 s for forming integrallymolded hooks. Referring to the example of a processing systemillustrated in FIG. 6C, a selected quantity of supplemental material maybe introduced to the web by a supplemental material delivery system 113,in a position along the web where it, in combination with the polymericmaterial forming the filaments, will be subject to the heating energy(e.g., ultrasonic vibratory energy) and be in suitable position to be atleast partially urged into the hooks-forming cavities in hooks-formingroll 208. It may be desired that the supplemental polymeric materialhave substantially the same composition as the polymeric material fromwhich the filaments are spun, or is otherwise of like chemistrytherewith, to ensure that the polymeric material from which thefilaments are spun and the supplemental polymeric material becomesuitably blended/merged and integral during and following formation ofhooks and cooling. The supplemental polymeric material may have the formof a strip of film or nonwoven web material introduced along the machinedirection, in line with the hooks-forming cavities, a deposition ofmolten polymeric material applied to the web either continuously orintermittently, etc.

Now referring to FIGS. 8A and 8C, in some examples, using suitablyconfigured equipment, a continuous strip of hooks area 212, the stripbeing aligned with the machine direction, may be integrally molded onthe substrate web material 211, such that integrally molded hooks extendto and through the upstream and downstream cut paths 124 and resultingcut edges of fastening members in the manner suggested in FIGS. 8B and8D. In some more particular examples, such integrally molded hooksproximate the cut paths 124 or cut edges of the fastening members may beflattened in areas 212 d by subsequent rolling or other suitabletechnique, to blunt or flatten the hooks and/or smooth the fasteningmembers along their cut edges. This may be desired for aestheticpurposes, or to blunt/flatten hooks integrally molded on the fasteningmembers in positions along the cut edges, decrease risk of wearer skinabrasion and/or irritation therefrom.

Using a process as described above, however, and referring to FIGS. 8Eand 8F, a finished web material 211 with integrally molded, discrete andseparate areas of hooks 212 may be formed. Hooks-forming cavities may beformed and arranged on a hooks-forming roller in any desiredconfiguration of hook size, shape, number, density, placement pattern,and arrangement of areas of hooks.

Using the online hooks molding process described, the practicalconstraints and/or costs presented by supply and application of acontinuous strip of pre-manufactured hooks material are eliminated, andthe areas of hooks may be provided on the nonwoven material in anydesired configuration, such as the configurations reflected in FIGS.8A-8G. Additional illustrative but non-limiting examples of hooks areaconfigurations are depicted in FIGS. 9A-9E. It can be appreciated thatareas of hooks may be configured in any desired size, shape, pattern,directionality of hooks orientation, number of hooks, etc. Areas ofhooks may be configured as discrete, discontinuous shapes entirelysurrounded by areas not occupied by hooks, as may be seen in FIGS. 9B,9D and 9E (sometimes known as “islands-in-the-sea” configurations).Continuous areas of hooks may be configured to entirely surrounddiscrete, discontinuous shapes of areas not occupied by hooks, as may beseen in FIG. 9A. Any combination of these two features is alsocontemplated, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 9C.

Features of an “integrally-formed” fastening member are disclosed in US2014/0200543, U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,333,125 and 9,068,912. Referring to FIG.9 of the '125 patent, for example, such features may include first andsecond surface layers (62 and 63, in FIG. 9 of the '125 patent) thatextend continuously from a proximal portion of the fastening member to adistal end. As described in the '125 patent, a fastener such as a patchof hooks may be affixed to one of the surface layers at a locationproximate the distal end. The fastening member may be elasticized tohave elastic stretch capability as described in the '125 patent,including by way of inclusion of an elastomeric material layer (64, inthe '125 patent) disposed between the surface layers, in a laminate. Thedescribed fastening member construction provides an integrated structurefor a fastening member, that may be efficiently manufactured andeliminates any need for a separate tape tab with hooks to be affixed toa distal end of the member.

Features and construction of the fastening members described in the '125patent and/or '912 patent and/or '543 application may be combined withintegrally-molded hooks as described herein, whereby integrally moldedhooks are formed on the fastening members in substitution for theseparate patches of hooks material described in the references.Additionally, or alternatively, integrally molded hooks may be formed inthe front waist region, on the landing zone or elsewhere in the frontwaist region, in lieu of the patches of hooks material described in thereferences.

Referring to FIGS. 8G and 8H, for example, a laminate web 211 may beformed of first layer 211 a and second layer 211 b. Layers 211 a, 211 bmay sandwich and be laminated about an elastic material 217 a, which mayin some non-limiting examples an elastomeric film, to form anelasticized zone 217 b of the laminate web 211. The layers may beaffixed together to form a laminate via any suitable means, includingfor example adhesive bonding and/or mechanical bonding between thelayers. The laminate 211 may comprise a gathered laminate, wherein oneof the layers is strained to a greater degree than a remaining layerduring lamination. In this way, the less extensible layer (i.e., anonwoven) will form gathers when the laminate is in a relaxed state.Corrugations then form in the nonwoven layer(s) when the subsequentlyformed laminate is in a relaxed state. The laminate may comprise anultrasonically bonded laminate as is disclosed for example in U.S. Pat.Pub. Nos. 2018/0042777, 2018/0042778; 2018/0271716; and 2018/0271717.Alternatively, the laminate 211 may be incrementally stretched, or maybe activated by processes disclosed in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2013/0082418,U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,834,741; 5,167,897; 5,993,432; 5,156,793; 5,167,897;7,062,983 and 6,843,134 for example. The web may be incrementallystretched or activated in the cross direction through the elasticizedzone 217 b, as is known in the art, to impart the web 211 and therebyfastening members to be cut therefrom, with elastic stretch andcontraction capability along the cross direction, in the elasticizedzone. As part of the manufacturing process, areas of integrally moldedhooks 212 may be formed as described herein on portions of the webproximate to distal ends of fastening members to be cut from the web, asdemarked by fastening member cut paths 124. Combining integrally moldedhooks with other features of fastening members described in the '125 and'912 patents provides for an even more integrated and efficientlymanufactured fastening member than that described in the referencedpatents.

As indicated, the fastening member 120 may be formed discretely from thechassis. This may permit separate orientation of the fastening memberand the chassis, or chassis components, during manufacturing, providinga greater degree of freedom in equipment set up, process steps and/orfinal diaper design.

Loops Material; Combination with Integrally Molded Hooks

In some examples, a nonwoven material may be manufactured using themethod described above, such that the material possesses structuremaking it suitable for serving as both loops material and as hooksmaterial. In nonlimiting examples, such nonwoven material may serve asthe backsheet or a portion of the backsheet of the article 10. Spunbondnonwoven material may be manufactured for use in its entirety, or in oneor more discrete sections, as loops material to be used as the loopsfastening component of a hook-and-loop fastening system.

In some examples, the nonwoven material may be formed primarily orentirely of single-component spun filaments. In other examples, themanufacturing equipment and materials selections may be configured andadapted to spin bi-component or multi-component filaments, havingdiffering, discrete portions of differing polymer composition extendingalong their spun lengths. As a result of differential rates and extentsof contraction of these differing portions upon cooling, bi-component ormulti-component filaments may tend to curl or crimp following spinning,making them particularly suitable for making loops material.

Returning to FIGS. 6A-6C, in some examples, filaments 201 are spun anddirected to and deposited on a conveyor surface 202 to form a batt 203,as described above, under process conditions that impart a machinedirection bias to the filaments. The batt may then be passed into thenip between a pair of calender/bonding rollers as described above,resulting in a bonded nonwoven web in which the filaments have a machinedirection bias. To make the resulting bonded nonwoven web material, orsections thereof, suitable for use as loops material, the pattern ofbonding protrusions 205 on the bonding roller 204 may be configured withfeatures that ensure that most or all of the filaments of the intendedsection of loops material 300 are bonded in a suitable bonding pattern310, such that they serve as effective, relatively closely-bound loopsstructures. Thus, when the filaments have a machine direction bias, itmay be advantageous that the pattern of bonds have certain geometriccharacteristics, for at least the section(s) of the web to intended toserve as loops material 300.

Herein, a “section of loops material” 305 is any continuous section orcontinuous portion of nonwoven web material formed of spun filamentshaving a machine direction bias, the section or portion having a machinedirection dimension of at least 20 mm, a cross direction dimension of atleast 20 mm, and a surface area of at least 314 mm², which section orportion is calender bonded in a pattern of loops-forming bonds havinggeometric features as described below.

The geometric features may include conformity with geometric constraintson any paths of unbonded areas across the section or portion ofmaterial. FIGS. 10A-10I and 11A-11C schematically depict intended loopsmaterial 300 of the minimum machine- and cross-direction dimensions setforth above and bonded in various patterns 310. As will be furtherexplained, the examples of patterns depicted meet, or do not meet, oneor both of the constraints described below. The table below summarizesthe extent to which these various examples meet the constraintsdescribed.

First Constraint: The section of intended loops material 300 may includeone or more identifiable linear paths. By “identifiable linear path”, itis meant that a path (a) has a width greater than 2 mm and (b) forms anangle of 45 degrees or less with the machine direction, in x-y planealong a major surface of the section of intended loops material. In thefigures, examples of such identifiable linear paths are labeled “P0”,“P45”, and “P<45”, where P0 is aligned with the machine direction (formsan angle therewith of 0 degrees); P45 forms an angle of 45 degrees withthe machine direction; and P<45 forms an angle with the machinedirection greater than 0 degrees and less than 45 degrees.

A first constraint that may be desirable is that every identifiablelinear path along the section of intended loops material at leastpartially overlies a bond or bonds 213 in the pattern 310 at a pluralityof locations along the path.

Second Constraint: The maximum identifiable dimension, PFL, betweenlocations at which bonds are overlaid by any identifiable linear path isfrom 1 mm to 12 mm, more preferably from 2 mm to 10 mm, and even morepreferably from 2 mm to 8 mm.

The following table summarizes the extent to which the examples of bondpatterns depicted in FIGS. 10A-10I and 11A-11C meet the first and secondconstraints described above:

FIG.(S) First Constraint Second Constraint 10A, 10B Met - everyidentifiable linear path greater than Met, if PFL is within one 2 mmwide, forming an angle of 45 degrees or of the ranges specified in lesswith machine direction MD (e.g., paths P0, description above P45),overlies bonds 213 at a plurality of locations 10C Not met -identifiable path P45 does not overlie Not met - PFL has no bonds 213 atany locations finite value 10D Not met - identifiable path P<45 does notNot met - PFL has no overlie bonds 213 at any locations finite value 10ENot met - identifiable path P0 does not overlie Not met - PFL has nobonds 213 at any locations finite value 10F, 10G, 10H Met - everyidentifiable linear path greater than Met, if PFL is within one 2 mmwide, forming an angle of 45 degrees or of the ranges specified in lesswith machine direction MD (e.g., paths P0, description above P45),overlies bonds 213 at a plurality of locations 10I Not met -identifiable path P0 does not overlie Not met - PFL has no bonds 213 atany locations finite value 11A Met - every identifiable linear pathgreater than Met, if PFL is within one 2 mm wide, forming an angle of 45degrees or of the ranges specified in less with machine direction MD(e.g., paths P0, description above P45), overlies bonds 213 at aplurality of locations 11B Not met - identifiable path P0 does notoverlie Not met - PFL has no bonds 213 at any locations finite value 11CMet - every identifiable linear path greater than Met, if PFL is withinone 2 mm wide, forming an angle of 45 degrees or of the ranges specifiedin less with machine direction MD (e.g., paths P0, description aboveP45), overlies continuous bond 213 (continuous region shown in black) ata plurality of locations (unbonded areas are discrete white circularareas 213a)

Configuring the bond pattern in observance of one or both the first andsecond geometric restrictions described above, minimizes the likelihoodthat substantial numbers of excessively long, unbonded lengths offilaments of the nonwoven web material, which are generally not suitableas loops structures, will be present. Conversely, observance of one orboth of these restrictions provides that the substantially greaterproportion of filaments making up the nonwoven web material will bebonded down to the web at intervals a suitable distance apart, makingthem suitable to perform as loops structures. With respect to the secondconstraint, a lower limit on the distance between bonds may be desiredso that unbonded lengths of filaments are not too short to be accessibleto hooks so as to be effectively engageable therewith; and an upperlimit on the distance between bonds may be desired so that unbondedlengths of filaments are not too long to provide close engagement andholding strength when the section of loops material is engaged withhooks.

In conjunction with one or both of the geometric constraints describedabove, it may be desired to specify a range for the quantity of bondedsurface area as a percentage of total surface area [typically expressedas “bond area percentage,” or similar expression, calculated as (bondedarea)/(total area)×100%]. If the bond area percentage is too low, theremay be an insufficient amount of bonding to impart holding strength tothe section of material. If the bond area percentage is too high, toomany of the filaments and/or too much of their length will be renderedunavailable to engage hooks. Accordingly, it may be desired that thebond area percentage be controlled (via design of the bonding pattern)to be from 5 percent to 40 percent, more preferably from 8 percent to 25percent, and even more preferably from 10 percent to 20 percent.

Alternatively, or in addition to the observance of the constraintsdescribed above, a section of intended loops material 300 may be bondedin a pattern according to any of the non-limiting examples described inU.S. Pat. No. 7,789,870.

To determine whether a bonding pattern conforms with the constraints andfeatures described above, the pattern as visible on the nonwovenmaterial may be viewed and measured by direct examination of thematerial (machine-assisted to any extent deemed helpful). It will beunderstood, however, that the geometric arrangement of a pattern ofbonds impressed on a calender-bonded nonwoven web material willcorrespond approximately with the geometric arrangement of the patternof bonding protrusions on the calender bonding roller used to bond theweb. Accordingly, as an alternative to measuring the geometricarrangement of the bonding pattern by direct examination of the nonwovenweb, the geometric arrangement of the bonding protrusions as formed onthe calender roller may be examined and measured. In still anotheralternative, the geometric arrangement of the bonding protrusions asformed on the calender roller may be discerned from the specificationsand/or mechanical drawings used to produce the calender roller. To theextent there may be some variance, between the geometric arrangement ofthe bonding protrusions on the calender roller as set forth in thespecifications and/or mechanical drawings for the calender roller, theactual geometric arrangement of bonding protrusions on the calenderroller, and the resulting actual geometric arrangement of the pattern ofbonds impressed on calender-bonded nonwoven web material, the deviationis deemed to be within contemplation and scope of the numerical valuesfor the constraints as described herein. Accordingly, if any of:

(a) the pattern of bonds actually present on the nonwoven web material,

(b) the pattern of bonding protrusions actually present on theassociated calender bonding roller, or

(c) the pattern of bonding protrusions for the calender bonding rolleras set forth in the specifications and/or mechanical drawings associatedwith the roller are in conformity with the geometric features andconstraints described above, the pattern is deemed to be withincontemplation and scope of the same.

A nonwoven material that is both adapted to serve as a loops materialand has integrally molded areas of hooks formed therein, may be deemeduseful for diapers with hook-and-loop fastening systems sometimes knownas “multipoint” systems, or systems having “primary” and “secondary”pairs of hooks and loops, such as disclosed, in, for example, U.S. Pat.Nos. 9,265,673; 9,339,425; 9,597,237; US 2017/065,468; U.S. Pat. Nos.9,615,980 and 9,265,674.

Examples of Configurations

FIGS. 12A-12E depict examples of sections of nonwoven web material 214that might be included as, or as part of, a landing zone 130 on thefront waist region of a diaper 101 (FIGS. 1 and 3). Section of nonwovenweb material 214 may be bonded in a pattern of bonds that make itsuitable for serving as loops material 300, for example a section ofloops material 305 as described above. Additionally, section of nonwovenweb material 214 may include areas of hooks 212 that are integrallymolded on the material as described above. It will be appreciated thatmethods described herein may be used to form such sections and as suchmay be used to provide a nonwoven web material that includes both hooksand loops, without the need for process steps associated with supplying,applying and adhering or bonding previously manufactured hooks material,as a separate component, to the nonwoven web material. In nonlimitingexamples, the section of nonwoven web material 214 may comprise asection of the article's backsheet 112. The section of nonwoven webmaterial 214 may be discrete from the backsheet 112. By way ofnonlimiting example, a section of nonwoven material 214 having hooks andloops material located in the rear waist region may be discrete from thebacksheet, as shown for example in FIG. 13A. In further nonlimitingexample, a section of nonwoven material 214 having hooks and loopsmaterial located in the front waist region may be integral with thebacksheet.

The areas of hooks 212 may be configured so as to reduce the likelihoodthat hooks will contact the wearer's skin, along locations proximate thelower outside corners of the landing zone 130, should the diaper tend tobunch or fold at those locations, during wear. To provide suchadvantage, each area of hooks 212 may be configured that no hooks arepresent in the configuration within a 45-45-90 right triangle 217 withlegs 5 mm in length, occupying the lower outside corner of a rectangle215, with two sides parallel/along the lateral direction, drawn toentirely circumscribe the hooks area(s) present. It can be seen that theexamples of hooks area 212 configurations in each of FIGS. 12A-12E allsatisfy this condition. Accordingly, these nonlimiting examples wouldreduce the likelihood that hooks in the hooks areas 212 would contactthe wearer's skin during wear of the diaper.

As shown in FIG. 12F, when applied to the chassis, a longitudinal edge304 of the web material 214 may extend outboard of the chassislongitudinal edge 117. Additionally, or alternatively, the section ofweb material 214 may comprise a curvilinear longitudinal edge 304. Thecurvilinear shape may have at least two convexities 401 and 402 and atleast one concavity 403 disposed intermediate the two convexities.Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed this embodimentallows the belt to fit smoothly into the body's complex geometry andprovides a more comfortable wearing experience by allowing the wearer'slegs to move with less hindrance from material (i.e., the belt isnarrower near the upper thighs) while maintaining a secure fit aroundthe waist. In addition, minimizing the amount of material proximate tothe inboard edge reduces the likelihood of the material folding overwhen positioned beneath under the back ear during application, andthereby increases fit and comfort.

FIGS. 13A-13C depict non-limiting examples of configurations of featuresfor diapers with hook-and-loop fastening systems that are contemplatedherein. Referring to FIG. 13A, front waist region 101 may include alanding zone 130 formed by, or including, a section of web material 214on which one or more areas of hooks 212F are integrally molded asdescribed herein. Section of web material 214 may be adapted to serve asloops material 300, such as a section of loops material 305 with apattern of bonds as described herein, so as to fastenably engage withareas or patches of hooks 212R attached to or integrally molded onfastening members 120 as described herein. Fastening members 120 maysimilarly be formed at least in part of a section of web materialadapted to serve as loops material 305, so as to fastenably engage withhooks 212F. In this configuration, two pairs of hook-and-loopcombinations engage each other to provide benefits associated withcombinations of primary and secondary fastening pairs.

Referring to FIG. 13B, it is further contemplated that hooks onfastening members 120 might be omitted entirely, when fastening members120 are formed of or include loops material such as the section of loopsmaterial 305 as described herein. Correspondingly, loops on landing zone130 may be omitted entirely, and all that is present is section of webmaterial 214 bearing integrally molded areas of hooks 212F. Hooks 212Fand loops material of fastening members 120 may be adapted to fastenablyengage.

In some embodiments, the backsheet 112 may comprise loop material andintegrally molded areas of hooks 212F might be formed directly on, andbe integral with, the backsheet 112. In such embodiments, fasteningmembers 120 may include hooks, integrally formed thereon or attached asdiscrete patches. Likewise, the fastening members 120 may include loopmaterial to engage with the areas of hooks 212F.

Further, referring to FIG. 13C, it is contemplated also that hooks onfastening members 120 might be omitted entirely, when fastening members120 are formed of or include loops material such as nonwoven webmaterial adapted to serve as loops material as described herein; and asection of web material separate from the backsheet, to be applied tothe front waist region, might be omitted. Rather, integrally moldedareas of hooks 212F might be formed directly on, and be integral with,component material(s) forming nonwoven web material used as an outerlayer for the diaper backsheet 112. Hooks 212F on the front waist regionand loops material included with fastening members 120 may be adapted tofastenably engage.

By suitably configuring the hooks-forming cavities in the hooks-formingroller, areas of hooks 212F and 212R may be configured with varyingdirectionality. Some hooks structures in currently marketed hooksmaterials lack directionality; others have singular directionality orbi-directionality along a single line. Each of FIGS. 14A-16C depicts afront view 220, side view 221 and top view 222 of one of threenon-limiting examples of hook shapes, protruding or emerging from asubstrate 223. (Substrate 223 may be the material such as a nonwoven webmaterial as described herein, from which the hooks are integrallymolded.) Referring to FIGS. 14A-14C, this type of hook shape (sometimesdescribed as a “mushroom” shape) lacks directionality because it issubstantially symmetrical about all planes along its vertical(z-direction) axis and/or has substantially similar front and side viewprofiles. Other types of hook shapes may be formed to havedirectionality such that they lack such symmetry and/or similarity offront and side views. The hook shape example reflected in FIGS. 15A-15Cis substantially unidirectional in that it hooks over predominately inone direction 1HD. The hook shape reflected in FIGS. 16A-16C (sometimesdescribed as an “arrowhead” shape) is substantially bi-directional inthat it has two opposing arms 224 that hook over in two oppositedirections 2HD.

Returning to FIGS. 12A-E and 13A-C, hooks in areas 212, 212F may beimparted with unidirectionality or bidirectionality along a lateraldirection (with respect to a diaper on which the hooks are disposed), oralong any direction that is 45 degrees or less from (i.e., approaching)the lateral direction. In a more particular example, hooks in therespective left and right areas 212 and 212F may be imparted withdirectionality approaching or along the lateral direction and extendingtoward the longitudinal axis of the diaper. Such directionality providesmechanical structure extending in a direction opposite the ordinarydirection of shear forces (directed away from the longitudinal axis inthe front region of the diaper) that would be exerted on the hooks inareas 212F while the hooks are engaged with a fastening member 120 whilethe diaper is being worn. As a result, the fastening strength isincreased and/or attachment is more secure, as compared withnon-directional hooks of similar size, material utilization (shapevolume) and numerical density. In addition, such directionality canreduce skin abrasion caused by contact with hooks as the configurationresults in a softer side/surface of the hooks contacting the skin, tothe extent contact occurs.

Referring to FIG. 13A, the hooks 212R on fastening member 120 may beimparted with directionality toward the longitudinal axis of the diaper(when the fastening member is in the open position as shown). Suchdirectionality would oppose the ordinary direction of shear forces thatwould be exerted on the hooks in areas 212F while the hooks are engagedwith a fastening member 120 while the diaper is being worn, providingfor added fastening strength and/or more secure attachment, as comparedwith non-directional hooks of similar size, material utilization (shapevolume) and numerical density.

In any of the foregoing examples, fastening members 120 may comprise alaminate 311, as shown in FIG. 13B for example. The laminate 311 may beformed of the section of nonwoven web material adapted to serve as loopsmaterial 300 as described herein and an elasticizing member 317 such asa layer of elastomeric film, or a plurality of longitudinally spaced,laterally-oriented strands of elastomeric material. The elastomericmember(s) may be joined with the nonwoven loops material while theelastomeric member(s) is(are) in a laterally strained condition, suchthat the nonwoven loops material forms ruffles or gathers of laterallygathered nonwoven material upon relaxation of the elastomeric member(s)and imparts elastic stretchability to the fastening member when thediaper is donned on a wearer. The laminate may be bonded by ultrasonicbonds, mechanical bonds, adhesive bonds, and any combinations thereof.Alternatively, the elasticized member may be joined to the loopsmaterial at zero relative strain and subsequently activated to produceelasticity.

It is also contemplated that loops material may be disposed on aseparate substrate from hooks. For example, loops material 300 may besupplied as a separate patch and attached to the chassis, while hooksmay be integrally formed from the backsheet.

Hysteresis Test

The following test methods utilize a commercial tensile tester (e.g.,from Instron Engineering Corp. (Canton, Mass.), SINTECH-MTS SystemsCorporation (Eden Prairie, Minn.) or equivalent) interfaced with acomputer. The computer is used to control the test speed and other testparameters and for collecting, calculating, and reporting the data. Thetests are performed under laboratory conditions of 23 deg. C.+−2 deg. C.and relative humidity of 50%+−2%. The samples are conditioned for 24hours prior to testing.

1. Select a 2.54 cm (width), 7.62 cm (length) sample of the material fortesting. In some cases, if it is not be possible to get a 2.54 cm×7.62cm sample, a smaller sample may be used, but a gage length of 25 mm muststill be used. If the sample is activated or includes an activationportion, the length of the sample is taken in the direction ofactivation.

2. Select the appropriate jaws and load cell. The jaws must have flatsurfaces and must be wide enough to fit the sample (e.g., at least 2.54cm wide). Also, the jaws should provide adequate force to ensure thatthe sample does not slip during testing. The load cell is selected sothat the tensile response from the sample tested is between 25% and 75%of the capacity of the load cell used.

3. Calibrate the tester according to the manufacturer's instructions.

4. Set the distance between the grips at 25 mm.

5. Place the sample in the flat surface of the jaws such that thelongitudinal axis of the sample is substantially parallel to the gaugelength direction. Mount the sample with minimal slack. Set the slackpreload at 0.02 N/cm. This means that the data collection starts whenthe slack is removed with a force of 0.02 N/cm. Strain is calculatedbased on the adjusted gauge length (lini), which is the length of thesample in between the grips of the tensile tester at a force of 0.02N/cm. This adjusted gauge length is taken as the initial sample length,and it corresponds to a strain of 0%. Percent strain at any point in thetest is defined as the change in length divided by the adjusted gaugelength times 100%.

6(a) First cycle loading: Pull the sample to a strain of 50% at aconstant cross head speed of 254 mm/min.

6(b) First cycle unloading: Hold the sample at 50% strain for 30 secondsand then return the crosshead to its starting position (0% strain) at aconstant cross head speed of 254 mm/min. Hold the sample in theunstrained state for 1 minute.

6(c) Set from second cycle loading: Pull the sample at a constant crosshead speed of 254 mm/min, till it reaches a load of 0.05 N/25.4 mm(0.020 N/cm). Record the extended gauge length (lext). Next, return thecrosshead to its starting position (zero strain) at a constant crosshead speed of 254 mm/min. Set is defined as the strain at a second cycleload of 0.05 N/25.4 mm (0.020 N/cm). Calculate % set as indicated below.

6(d) Second cycle unload: Next, return the crosshead to its startingposition (zero strain) at a constant cross head speed of 254 mm/min.

Percent Set is defined as the percent strain at a second cycle load of0.05 N/25.4 mm (0.020 N/cm). Calculate % set as indicated below.

A computer data system records the force exerted on the sample duringthe test as a function of applied strain. From the resulting datagenerated, the following quantities are reported (note that loads arereported as force divided by the width of the sample and do not takeinto account the thickness of the sample):

1. Loads at 25% strain and 50% strain (N/cm)

2. % set (Percent Strain measured at a second cycle load of 0.02N/cm);

3. % set=(lext-lini)/lini*100%.

Five repetitions are done on each sample and the average and standarddeviation reported.

The Hysteresis Test can be suitably modified depending on the expectedattributes and/or properties of the particular material sample to bemeasured. For example, the Test can be suitably modified where a sampleof the length and width specified above are not available from thesubject article.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or exampled herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended examples all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disposable open-form diaper, comprising: achassis comprising a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeablebacksheet and an absorbent core structure disposed between the topsheetand the backsheet; a front waist region; a rear waist region; and acrotch region disposed between the front waist region and the rear waistregion; a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis; a fastening memberjoined to the chassis in the rear waist region and extending laterallyaway from the longitudinal axis, including a first fastening componentdisposed thereon; and a second fastening component disposed on the frontwaist region; wherein one or both of the first and second fasteningcomponents comprises a section of nonwoven web material on which anarray of hooks is formed, wherein the section of web material comprisesfilaments of polymeric material; and wherein at least a portion of thearray comprises integral hooks, wherein said integral hooks arethermally formed at least in part of the polymeric material of thefilaments such that said integral hooks are integral with the nonwovenweb material.
 2. The diaper of claim 1, wherein the integral hooks isformed on a wearer-facing surface of the fastening member.
 3. The diaperof claim 1, wherein the integral hooks is formed on an outward-facingsurface of the front waist region.
 4. The diaper of claim 1, wherein oneor more hooks are imparted with unidirectionality along a direction thatis 45 degrees or less with respect to the lateral axis.
 5. The diaper ofclaim 1, wherein one or more hooks are imparted with bidirectionalityalong a direction that is 45 degrees or less with respect to the lateralaxis.
 6. The diaper of claim 1, wherein one or more hooks are impartedwith directionality toward the longitudinal axis.
 7. The diaper of claim1, wherein the array of hooks has a machine direction dimension of atleast about 20 mm.
 8. The diaper of claim 1, wherein the array of hookscomprises a curvilinear shape.
 9. The diaper of claim 1, wherein thearray of hooks comprises a plurality of discrete, discontinuous areas ofhooks formation interspersed in and within a second continuous area ofthe nonwoven web material where no hooks are formed.
 10. The diaper ofclaim 1, wherein the array of hooks comprises at least one continuousarea of hooks formation, surrounding at least one discontinuous area ofthe nonwoven web material in which no hooks are formed.
 11. The diaperof claim 1, wherein at least some of the hooks are integrally formed atleast in part of a second polymeric material supplementing the polymericmaterial of the filaments.
 12. The diaper of claim 1, wherein thesection of nonwoven material is discrete from and attached to thebacksheet.
 13. The diaper of claim 1, wherein when the section ofnonwoven web material is deemed to lie along an x-y plane, the hooks areformed to extend in a z-direction with respect to the x-y plane, and thehooks comprise a first plurality of hooks that hook over in a firstdirection and a second plurality of hooks that hook over in a directiondiffering from the first direction.
 14. The diaper of claim 13 whereinthe section of nonwoven web material is disposed on the front waistregion, the first plurality of hooks is disposed on the web materialproximate a left side of the front waist region, and the secondplurality of hooks is disposed on the web material proximate a rightside of the front waist region.
 15. The diaper of claim 1 wherein thearray of hooks is set back from one or more edges of the section ofnonwoven web material.
 16. A disposable open-form diaper, comprising: achassis comprising a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeablebacksheet and an absorbent core structure disposed between the topsheetand the backsheet; a front waist region; a rear waist region; and acrotch region disposed between the front waist region and the rear waistregion; a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis; a first fasteningcomponent disposed in one of the front or rear waist regions; a secondfastening component disposed in another of the front or rear waistregions; wherein the first fastening component comprises a discretepatch of hooks; and wherein the second fastening component comprises aplurality of integral hooks, the integral hooks being formed at least inpart of a section of material on which an array of hooks is formed. 17.The diaper of claim 16 wherein the second fastening component isdisposed in the first waist region.
 18. The diaper of claim 16 whereinthe plurality of integral hooks is imparted with multidirectionaldirectionality.
 19. The diaper of claim 16 wherein the section ofmaterial on which the array of hooks is formed further comprises asection of loops material adapted to cooperate with the first fasteningcomponent.
 20. The diaper of claim 16, wherein when the section ofmaterial on which the array of hooks is formed is deemed to lie along anx-y plane, the hooks are formed to extend in a z-direction with respectto the x-y plane, and the hooks comprise a first plurality of hooks thathook over in a first direction and a second plurality of hooks that hookover in a direction differing from the first direction.